NCJ Number
207333
Date Published
2003
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This chapter examines the benefits in establishing local partnerships when addressing the development of a continuum of services for the developmental needs of children.
Abstract
In this chapter, an attempt is made to capture the process of providing resources through local partnerships in order to offer a continuum of services addressing the developmental needs of children, specifically children at-risk. A strong, permanent local collaboration is necessary and begins the network of preventive services for at-risk youth. Partnerships seek to build capacity for child care and other services for young children. The chapter begins by first providing an understanding of local partnerships and their interrelatedness to State structure, hierarchy, or oversight agency and then, for replication purposes, attempts to define the factors of a productive working relationship. Local collaborative efforts channel limited resources to priority needs, as well as build an infrastructure that prevents difficulties for the community and promotes community wellness. The chapter provides evidence from two North Carolina partnership sites, the Down East Partnership for Children and the Forsyth Early Childhood Partnership indicating that partnering resource development and services is effective. These sites are part of Smart Start, a comprehensive, public-private initiative in North Carolina where communities pool resources with an overall goal of school readiness. References